I’d only add that lying in a bed, unable to move, eat and drink (in most circumstances) as well as pitocin and wires dangling from many orafices all add to the enormous amount of pain a woman experiences in the hospital.

At home, a woman is not tethered to the bed, is “allowed” to eat and drink (even encouraged to do so), is encouraged to utilize natural pain reducers through aqua means (as you mentioned) and she and the baby dance their dance - the NORMAL dance that moms and babies have been doing for eons OUT of beds. Moms do not holler for pain meds unless something is seriously wrong - it just doesn’t happen.

That women routinely ask for medication in the hospital SCREAMS that something is *seriously* wrong.

Thank you so much for your words.

Navelgazing Midwife